Aronberg Goldgehn’s Intellectual Property lawyers help companies and individuals protect, build value, and profit from their creative output through patents, trademarks, trade dress, and copyrights. Our practice group advises clients seeking patent and trademark protection before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, handles many aspects of copyright law, and negotiates licensing and other intellectual property agreements. In addition, Aronberg Goldgehn's intellectual property lawyers are experienced in prosecuting and defending trademark, trade dress, patent, and copyright suits, as well as trade secret, unfair competition, gray market goods, false advertising, and right to publicity litigation. Our mission is to provide our clients with a pragmatic approach to Intellectual Property portfolio management and strategy.

Patents

Strong patents that capture and protect critical innovations are essential to building market share, and they form foundational value for growing companies. We work together with clients to develop strategies and best practices that enable our clients to identify patentable subject matter at its inception to ensure that our clients are positioned to capitalize on their intellectual output and the value inherent in their work.

Our team has extensive experience both enforcing patents and defending against accusations of infringement. Our clients benefit directly from that litigation experience, as Aronberg Goldgehn is able to work with its clients to craft patents that can be effectively and efficiently enforced while withstanding challenges in court. We assist individuals, entrepreneurs and established corporate clients in seeking and procuring patent protection in a variety of different technological areas, including industrial machinery, medical equipment, vacuum pumps, vending machines, robotics, semi-conductor chips, optics, consumer goods, toys, and tools. The group also has considerable experience with post-grant patent review processes.

Our team further guides our clients’ research and development processes to accurately identify and avoid violating legitimate rights of their competitors. We provide our clients with opinions in all patent areas, including validity, patentability, infringement and workarounds.

Trademarks, Branding & Trade Dress

We counsel clients through the life of a trademark and provide strategies for protecting their rights worldwide. From the initial stage of selecting a trademark, we conduct trademark searches to help identify the potential rights of others that may restrict or prevent the adoption and use of the trademark. We assist clients in obtaining trademark registrations, policing the registrations, and opposing and petitioning to cancel other trademarks that may be confusingly similar to our clients' trademarks. We handle domestic and international trademark clearance, registration and protection, and we forcefully defend our clients against charges of infringement and unfair competition.

Our attorneys assist clients in protecting the overall image and packaging of a product through trade dress protection. Enforceability of trade dress overlaps other areas of intellectual property law, including copyright, patent and unfair competition. We have extensive experience in helping clients in a wide variety of manufacturing, service and retail businesses identify the nuances of the law and working with them to fully protect their rights.

Copyrights

Our practice group handles many of the different aspects of copyright law, from obtaining registrations, licensing agreements to charges of infringement. We defend and enforce the copyright interests of our clients and protect their strategic business objectives as well as their position in the marketplace in this age of advanced communications technology. We also provide defense against claims of infringement, transaction work, clearances, strategic portfolio development, and management and development of best practices.

We have represented numerous creators of copyrighted works, including authors, musicians, software developers, graphic artists and designers, architects and photographers. We have also brought and defended actions for infringement of sound recordings and music compositions.

Licensing and Agreements

Our attorneys negotiate licenses and other agreements with third parties, including patent licenses, computer software licenses, technology or know-how licenses, trademark licenses, and joint venture or teaming assignments. We also negotiate cross-licensing agreements, agreements with existing licensors and transition service agreements. We examine potential claims by others that could affect the validity, enforceability or scope of a licensed patent. The experience of our intellectual property group also extends to evaluating any ongoing or potential litigation, interference, opposition, reissue or related proceedings.

Our work has included the negotiation and preparation of licensing and sale agreements involving, among others:

  • Computer software copyright licensing agreements
  • Author royalty agreements with publishers
  • Publishing agreements
  • Recording artist contracts and royalty negotiations
  • Assignment and sale of patents, trademarks and copyrights
  • Trademark licensing and royalty agreements
  • Assignment and sale of trademarks and copyrights and recording of assignments with appropriate federal offices

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Aronberg Goldgehn's intellectual property lawyers are experienced in prosecuting and defending copyright, trademark, trade dress and patent infringement suits as well as trade secret litigation. We have litigated patent, trademark and copyright infringement suits as well as unfair competition, false advertising claims, and right to publicity actions in courts across the nation. We also are experienced in litigating contract and antitrust issues that often accompany intellectual property disputes. Among other types of claims, we have handled claims of trademark and trade dress infringement for manufacturers of toys, golf equipment, food, luxury bath fixtures and metal shelving units, and handled patent infringement cases involving industrial machinery, signal processing devices, control systems, textiles, and many others.

We regularly assist clients with DMCA takedown actions with online marketplaces such as Amazon.com and eBay.com. We have successfully resolved domain name disputes through ICANN.

Our attorneys provide intellectual property enforcement strategies that police the marketplace and protect clients against claims of infringement, misappropriation and unfair competition.

Our solutions may include obtaining an early injunction, reaching a favorable settlement or aggressively litigating the case. Our lawyers are highly skilled in handling litigation through alternative dispute resolution, such as arbitration and mediation, which results in settling many of our clients’ litigation matters out of court. We have additional experience negotiating cross-licenses and ongoing business arrangements.

Jury Awards $740k to Apparel Company Grunt Style in Trademark Infringement Action
03.21.24

Aronberg Goldgehn attorneys M. "Chip" De Preter and Sofia Quezada Hastings recently achieved a long-fought victory for their client, Grunt Style LLC, in a trademark infringement trial in the Northern District of Illinois.... Read More


Supreme Court Tackling Intellectual Property "Fair Use" In Multiple Contexts
01.10.23

Two cases involving the scope of the "fair use" defense to allegations of intellectual property infringement have made it to the Supreme Court's docket and are set to be ruled on early this year.... Read More


Matthew "Chip" De Preter Discusses Methods to Protect Small and Mid-Sized Businesses' Intellectual Property in The Zemar Podcast
11.09.21

The Zemar Podcast recently featured Matthew "Chip" De Preter in a conversation concerning the protection of small and mid-sized businesses' intellectual property.... Read More


Intellectual Property Law Alert - Small Justice for Those Scammed by Fake Trademark Solicitations
09.23.21

Filing a federal trademark registration virtually guarantees that the trademark applicant will be the target of multiple scams. The United States has successfully prosecuted one of these scammers in USA v. Suhorukovs.... Read More


35 Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Honored as Leading and Emerging Lawyers in 2021 Lists
02.09.21

Leading Lawyers Network recognizes 35 Aronberg Goldgehn attorneys in the 2021 Leading and Emerging Lawyer lists.... Read More


Eighteen Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
01.29.21

Aronberg Goldgehn congratulates its 18 attorneys that have been selected to the 2021 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.... Read More


IP Law Trending Now — Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021 Sweeps the Trademark Modernization Act into Law as Well
01.05.21

The President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021 in late December 2020. Buried within the bill was the Trademark Modernization Act ("TMA") which includes a number of amendments to the Lanham Act.... Read More


Alan S. Wernick Shares Insights on IP Rights and Mobile Apps in Strafford Webinar
12.01.20

Alan S. Wernick discusses strategies to implement and enforce intellectual property rights when using applications on mobile devices and address data privacy/cybersecurity issues in the development of mobile apps.... Read More


Alan S. Wernick Presenting "Privacy/Cybersecurity Issues in Virtual Mediation" at the Chicago Bar Association's Advanced Workshop for Improved Negotiation and Mediation Skills
09.24.20

The online workshop begins November 11, 2020.... Read More


Chip De Preter Co-Presenting "SCOTUS IP Year in Review 2019-2020"
09.18.20

This Lawline webcast will stream live on Monday, September 21, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. Central Time... Read More


John C. Sciaccotta and Alan S. Wernick Serving as Mediators for the Chicago Bar Association's Newly Launched Mediation Service
09.16.20

John is one of the co-founders of the CBA's Mediation Service.... Read More


Intellectual Property Law Alert - USPTO Will Increase Patent Fees in Two Weeks
09.15.20

On Oct. 2, 2020, the USPTO will adjust a variety of fees associated with the patent prosecution process - the first fee adjustment for patents in three years.... Read More


Twenty-Nine Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Illinois Leading Lawyers
07.08.20

Anderson, Bannon, Brodsky, Christman, De Preter, Frank, Garmisa, Gilman, Hanekamp, Hayes, Holisky, J. Johnson, Lazzara, Lichtenstein, Melamed, Morris, T. Nelson, C. Niro, B. Niro, Robertson, Schlifke, Scholl, Sciaccotta, Sodikoff, Stark, Warren, Wernick, Zaban and Zaslavsky named Leading Lawyers.... Read More


Intellectual Property Law Alert - The Supreme Court Affirms USPTO v. Booking.com: A Company May Obtain Federal Trademark Registration for Internet Domain Names Incorporating Generic Terms
06.30.20

Supreme Court rejects PTO per se rule against ".com" marks... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn Wins $1 Million Trademark Dispute for the Chicago Rabbinical Council
06.10.20

Chris Niro, Nate Lichtenstein and Kristy Diesner represented the Rabbinical Council in the case, Chicago Rabbinical Council Inc. v. Abdul Rehman Group Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.... Read More


Intellectual Property Law Alert - Disgorgement of Profits for Trademark Infringement Does Not Require Willfulness
04.23.20

This Alert discusses today's Supreme Court ruling in Romag Fasteners, Inc. v. Fossil, Inc., No. 18-1233, (U.S. Apr. 23, 2020).... Read More


Intellectual Property Law Alert - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Extends Some Deadlines
04.01.20

On March 31, 2020, the USPTO released additional modifications that offer the ability for some parties to obtain brief extensions for some filings.... Read More


Intellectual Property Law Alert - It's Business as Usual *Mostly* at the USPTO
03.25.20

Despite the disruption of the COVID-19 virus, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has not materially altered its operations. This Alert addresses its announcements.... Read More


Eight Aronberg Goldgehn Members Named Super Lawyers By Illinois Super Lawyers
01.29.20

Chris Bannon, Jay Frank, Tom Hanekamp, Julie A. Johnson, Bill Niro John C. Sciaccotta, Blooma Stark and Michael A. Zaslavsky have been selected as Illinois Super Lawyers for 2020.... Read More


Seven Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Rising Stars By Illinois Super Lawyers
01.29.20

Staci Balbirer, Amy Gibson, Ben Haskin, David Johnson, Lindsay Lollio, Tim Nelson and Chris Niro have been named Rising Stars by Illinois Super Lawyers.... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn Further Expands Its Intellectual Property Practice With the Addition of Patent Lawyer Matthew "Chip" De Preter
11.27.19

Chip De Preter has joined Aronberg Goldgehn as a Member, expanding the capabilities of the firm's growing intellectual property practice to include patent prosecution services.... Read More


John C. Sciaccotta Moderating "Civility in the Profession . . . How to Play Nice," a Chicago Bar Association CLE Program
11.22.19

On Dec. 4, 2019, John will moderate the civility panel at the Chicago Bar Association's annual all-day "Basic Skills Course for Newly Admitted Attorneys."... Read More


John C. Sciaccotta Moderating a Panel at the Chicago Bar Association's 2019 Arbitration Institute
10.18.19

On Oct. 29, 2019, John will moderate "Part Two: The Process of Arbitration: Making an Effective Presentation of the Case."... Read More


Alan Wernick Presenting "Technology and the Law - Emerging Technology Trends and Potential Personal Liability," a Webinar for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
09.17.19

The webinar will air at 1 p.m. Central Time on Oct. 15, 2019.... Read More


Alan Wernick Co-Presenting "Social Media and the Internet" at the Ohio State Bar Association's Federal Bench Bar Conference
09.11.19

On Oct. 11, Alan's panel will address the intersection of social media, the internet and the law.... Read More


Alan Wernick Presenting "Technology and the Law - Emerging Technology Trends and Potential Commercial Liability," a Webinar for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
08.23.19

The webinar will air at 1 p.m. Central Time on Oct. 8, 2019.... Read More


Prominent Technology Law Attorney Alan S. Wernick Has Joined Aronberg Goldgehn in Its Newly Formed Privacy, Cybersecurity & Technology Law Practice Group
08.21.19

Alan handles the complex technology, IP and privacy/cybersecurity issues that challenge clients in the evolving technology marketplace.... Read More


"Judge: Buyer of Historic Building Didn't Inherit Trademark"
08.19.19

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reports on a trademark infringement lawsuit successfully handled by Aronberg Goldgehn attorneys Amy Gibson and Ben Haskin.... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn's Women's Initiative Honors WINGS CEO Rebecca Darr With Its 2019 Inspiration Award
08.15.19

Rebecca accepted the award at the Fourth Annual Inspiration Award Reception hosted by the Aronberg Goldgehn Women's Initiative.... Read More


John Sciaccotta's Speaking Engagement Reported On in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
05.20.19

The article, "CBA Panel on Legal Bias Illuminates Inequities," appeared in the May 20 edition.... Read More


Bill Niro, Chris Niro and Kristy Diesner Featured in Law360 Article Titled "Aronberg Goldgehn Adds 3 to Bolster Chicago IP Practice"
05.08.19

The Law360 article appeared May 7, 2019.... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn's Women Attorneys Volunteer at Sarah's Circle
05.03.19

On April 24, 2019, a group of Aronberg Goldgehn's Women's Initiative members volunteered at Sarah's Circle in Chicago's Uptown Community, providing dinner service for their residents... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn Strengthens Its Intellectual Property Practice With the Addition of Bill Niro, Chris Niro and Kristy Diesner
05.02.19

The addition of this premier Intellectual Property team expands the firm's capabilities to assist clients in their patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secret matters.... Read More


Elizabeth Lazzara and John Sciaccotta Serving as Campaign Vice Chairs for the 2019 Investing in Justice Campaign
04.26.19

The Investing in Justice Campaign raises much-needed funds for pro bono and legal aid services in the Chicago area.... Read More


Twenty-Three Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers in Illinois
03.20.19

Anderson, Bannon, Brodsky, Christman, Frank, Garmisa, Gilman, Hanekamp, Hayes, Holisky, Johnson, Lazzara, Lichtenstein, Melamed, Morris, Robertson, Schlifke, Scholl, Sciaccotta, Sodikoff, Stark, Zaban and Zaslavsky named Leading Lawyers.... Read More


Seven Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Emerging Lawyers By Illinois Leading Lawyers
03.19.19

Staci Balbirer, Amy M. Gibson, Benjamin Haskin, David A. Johnson, Jr., Amber O. LaFevers, Lindsay P. Lollio and Timothy R. Nelson have been named Emerging Lawyers for 2019 by Illinois Leading Lawyers.... Read More


Privacy Alert - Liability Under the Illinois Biometric Privacy Act
02.20.19

A new Illinois Supreme Court ruling expands the scope of liability for companies that collect or store biometric information. The Court has now clarified that actual injury or harm is not necessary to bring a claim... Read More


Staci Balbirer, Amy Gibson, Ben Haskin, David Johnson, Amber LaFevers, Lindsay Lollio and Tim Nelson Named Rising Stars By Illinois Super Lawyers
01.24.19

No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in Illinois are named to Rising Stars.... Read More


John Sciaccotta Elected a Trustee of the Barrington School District 220 Educational Foundation Board
10.26.18

As a Trustee, John will support the Foundation's mission to inspire students' passion for learning and career exploration, and provide enriching opportunities through private funding.... Read More


John Sciaccotta To Be Honored With Fenwick High School's 2018 Accipiter Award
04.30.18

On May 18, 2018, Aronberg Goldgehn member John Sciaccotta will receive the prestigious Accipiter Award from his alma mater, Fenwick High School.... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn Hosting the Legal Netlink Alliance's Spring 2018 Meeting
04.30.18

On May 17, 2018, the Legal Netlink Alliance will kick off its 2018 Spring meeting with a cocktail reception in the offices of Aronberg Goldgehn.... Read More


Five Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Emerging Lawyers By Illinois Leading Lawyers
03.30.18

Amy M. Gibson, Benjamin Haskin, Amber O. LaFevers, Lindsay P. Lollio and Timothy R. Nelson have been named Emerging Lawyers for 2018 by Illinois Leading Lawyers.... Read More


Twenty Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Leading Lawyers By Illinois Leading Lawyers
03.30.18

Twenty-one Aronberg Goldgehn attorneys have been named Leading Lawyers for 2018 by Illinois Leading Lawyers.... Read More


Tim Nelson Discusses How the Law Impacts Technology and Private Equity in Recent Podcast
02.02.18

Aronberg Goldgehn attorney Timothy Nelson appeared on the Private Equity Technology Podcast this week to discuss how the law impacts technology and Private Equity.... Read More


Seven Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Rising Stars By Illinois Super Lawyers
01.24.18

Staci L. Balbirer, Amy M. Gibson, Benjamin Haskin, David A. Johnson, Jr., Amber O. LaFevers, Lindsay P. Lollio and Timothy R. Nelson have been named "Rising Stars" by Illinois Super Lawyers.... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn's Women's Initiative Honors Businesswoman Rowena Zimmers With Its 2017 Inspiration Award
10.17.17

Rowena Zimmers accepted Aronberg Goldgehn's 2017 Inspiration Award at its 2nd Annual Inspiration Award Luncheon.... Read More


Amy Gibson Named in Crain's List of The Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago
08.01.17

Aronberg Goldgehn Member Amy M. Gibson has been listed in Crain's Custom Media's inaugural edition of The Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago.... Read More


Four Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Emerging Lawyers By Illinois Leading Lawyers
04.26.17

Amy Gibson, Julie Johnson, Tim Nelson and Amber LaFevers have been named Emerging Lawyers by Illinois Leading Lawyers, a designation awarded to less than 2 percent of Illinois attorneys.... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Rising Stars By Illinois Super Lawyers
01.23.17

Staci L. Balbirer, Amy M. Gibson, Julie A. Johnson, Amber O. LaFevers and Timothy R. Nelson have been named "Rising Stars" by Illinois Super Lawyers.... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn Sponsoring the 18th Annual Illinois Bar Foundation Gala
09.07.16

Aronberg Goldgehn is honored to be the Northern Illinois University Fellowship Sponsor for the Illinois Bar Foundation's 2016 Gala, where Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will be presented with the 2016 Distinguished Award for Excellence.... Read More


John Sciaccotta Elected to Membership in the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
08.08.16

Litigator John C. Sciaccotta has been elected a Member of the prestigious Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel.... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn's Women's Initiative Hosts Its Inaugural Inspiration Award Luncheon
08.01.16

Ulta Beauty General Counsel Jodi Caro Honored With the 2016 Inspiration Award... Read More


Five Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named Rising Stars by Illinois Super Lawyers
01.01.16

Staci Balbirer, Amy M. Rapoport Gibson, Amber O. LaFevers, Timothy R. Nelson and Julie A. Neubauer and have been designated Rising Stars in Illinois by Super Lawyers.... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn Appoints New Practice Group Chairs
07.29.15

Nate Lichtenstein and Amy Rapoport Gibson Will Lead the Commercial Litigation Group; Paul Gilman and Tim Nelson, Business Law & Transactions... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn Ranked No. 1 for Having the Highest Percentage of Women Associates Among Illinois' Largest Firms
07.14.15

Chicago Lawyer magazine' has published the results of its annual diversity survey of the largest law firms in Illinois, and Aronberg Goldgehn has been ranked No. 1 in one analysis of the statistics.... Read More


John Sciaccotta Joins Aronberg Goldgehn
05.04.15

John Sciaccotta has joined Aronberg Goldberg as a member. He focuses his practice on litigation, arbitration and business counseling matters with a special emphasis on complex civil trial and appellate cases brought in federal and state courts throughout the country.... Read More


Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Illinois
01.12.15

Christopher J. Bannon, Jay A. Frank and Blooma Stark have been selected as Illinois Super Lawyers; Amber N. LaFevers, Timothy R. Nelson and Amy M. Rapoport Gibson named ‘Rising Stars.'... Read More


Lisa Brodsky, Tim Nelson and Amy Gibson Elected New Members
01.01.15

Aronberg Goldgehn has elected Lisa J. Brodsky, Timothy R. Nelson and Amy M. Rapoport Gibson as Members of the firm, effective January 1, 2015.... Read More


Amber LaFevers, Tim Nelson and Amy Gibson Named Rising Stars By Illinois Super Lawyers
01.13.14

Amber LaFevers, Timothy R. Nelson and Amy M. Rapoport Gibson have been designated as Rising Stars by Illinois Super Lawyers.... Read More


Amy Gibson, Tim Nelson and Julie Neubauer Named Rising Stars by Illinois Super Lawyers
08.29.13

Aronberg Attorneys Amy M. Rapoport Gibson, Timothy R. Nelson and Julie A. Neubauer and have been designated Rising Stars in Illinois by Super Lawyers.... Read More


Seven Aronberg Goldgehn Attorneys Named 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers' and Rising Stars' in Illinois
01.04.13

Aronberg Goldgehn is pleased to announce that four attorneys were selected as Illinois ‘Super Lawyers' for 2013 and four attorneys were designated as ‘Rising Stars' in Illinois by Super Lawyers magazine.... Read More


Timothy Nelson Joins Aronberg Goldgehn As An Associate
11.29.10

Timothy Nelson has joined Aronberg Goldgehn as an associate in the business law department.... Read More